Mets fall despite Wright's homers

Star hits pair, but Rockies win frigid opener of twinbill

Associated Press

Associated Press

Updated 5:35 pm, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

DENVER, CO - APRIL 16: David Wright #5 of the New York Mets homers in the fifth inning to give the Mets a 4-2 lead over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 16, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. All uniformed team members are wearing jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Carlos Gonzalez homered and tripled, Todd Helton hit a go-ahead single and the Colorado Rockies beat the New York Mets 8-4 in the opening game of a doubleheader Tuesday that was delayed 2 hours as 8 inches of snow was cleared off the field.

One day after a spring storm postponed the first game of the series, the teams were scheduled to play two in frigid conditions. The temperature at first pitch was 39 degrees and was expected to dip even lower for the nightcap — maybe even with more snow.

David Wright homered twice for the Mets, finally back on the field after cold weather postponed two straight games. Wintry conditions in Minneapolis on Sunday prompted their game against the Twins to be called off and rescheduled in August.

Juan Nicasio (2-0) struggled with his command, unable to locate his fastball, but still earned the win. He lasted five innings and allowed four runs before being lifted for a pinch hitter.

Early on Tuesday morning, Rockies owner Dick Monfort took the field with a shovel and helped clear the way for the game to be played. A crew of team employees lent a hand as well, as did Sandy Alderson, the general manager of the Mets.

Players tried everything to stay warm. Some wore extra layers and others kept close to the dugout heaters as much as they could. Colorado second baseman Jonathan Herrera even wore a ski mask, just to keep the biting wind off his face.

The teams originally scheduled a split doubleheader to make up Monday's postponement. But all the snow and the late start Tuesday turned it into a traditional twinbill, with just a short break between games.

A sparse crowd showed up for the day game, bundled up in heavy coats and stocking caps. The Rockies didn't plow the upper deck and allowed all fans to sit in the lower level. Even then, the stands looked awfully empty even though the attendance was announced as 21,510.